1383. gabluth

Lexical Summary

gabluth: Boundary, border

Original Word: גַּבְלֻת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: gabluth
Pronunciation: gab-LOOTH
Phonetic Spelling: (gab-looth')
KJV: end
NASB: twisted
Word Origin: [from H1379 (גָּבַל - set bounds)]

1. a twisted chain or lace

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

end

From gabal; a twisted chain or lace -- end.

see HEBREW gabal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as gebul
Definition
a twisting
NASB Translation
twisted (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

גַּבְלֻת noun feminine twisting — שַׁרְ שֹׁת גַּבְלֻת Exodus 28:22, ׳שַׁרְשְׁרֹת גּ Exodus 39:15 (both P), cords of twisting, i.e. (well or tightly) twisted cords.

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Biblical Setting

A rare term reserved for the braided cords of pure gold that fastened the high-priestly breastpiece to the ephod (Exodus 28:22; 39:15). Each cord consisted of interwoven wires, producing both strength and ornamental beauty.

Occurrences

• Exodus 28:22 – “You are to make braided chains of pure gold, like cords, for the breastpiece.”
• Exodus 39:15 – “They made braided chains of pure gold for the breastpiece, like cords.”

Material and Construction

Gold wires were drawn, twisted, and plaited into two flexible ropes. The upper ends attached to gold rings at the breastpiece’s corners; the lower ends linked to onyx shoulder-settings on the ephod. Such cable work parallels jewelry from New-Kingdom Egypt, showing how the LORD sanctified familiar craft for holy use.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

1. Integrity of Intercession – The cords unite breastpiece and ephod, declaring that judgment and mercy meet in the high priest (Exodus 28:29-30).
2. Incorruptible Covenant – Gold’s imperishability pictures the enduring faithfulness of God toward Israel.
3. Christological Foreshadowing – As the chains held the tribal names over Aaron’s heart, so the risen Christ bears His people before the Father (Hebrews 9:24). Nothing can sever that bond (Romans 8:38-39).

Historical and Cultural Background

Twisted gold necklaces and pectoral chains occur in Egyptian tombs and Assyrian reliefs. Israelites, recently freed from Egypt, were equipped by divine command and Spirit-empowered artisanship (Exodus 31:2-6) to employ similar techniques for the tabernacle, redeeming common skill for sacred worship.

Lessons for Ministry Today

• Craftsmanship Matters – The LORD specifies both purpose and aesthetics; excellence in service reflects His glory (Colossians 3:23).
• Bound to the Pattern – Ministry must remain tethered to God’s revealed design, not human innovation (2 Timothy 1:13).
• Unity in Christ – Individual strands form one cord; believers, though many, are woven into one body (Ephesians 4:16).

Related Themes and Cross-References

Judgment stones (Exodus 28:9-12); Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:30); Golden lampstand details (Exodus 25:31-40); Cords of love (Hosea 11:4); Unbreakable three-fold cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

Summary

Though mentioned only twice, these braided gold chains embody the perfection of divine design, the durability of covenant love, and the unbreakable mediation ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest.

Forms and Transliterations

גַּבְלֻ֖ת גבלת gaḇ·luṯ gaḇluṯ gavLut

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 28:22
HEB: הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַֽׁרְשֹׁ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת
NAS: chains of twisted cordage
KJV: chains at the ends [of] wreathen
INT: the breastpiece chains of twisted work cordage

Exodus 39:15
HEB: הַחֹ֛שֶׁן שַׁרְשְׁרֹ֥ת גַּבְלֻ֖ת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה עֲבֹ֑ת
NAS: like cords, of twisted cordage
KJV: chains at the ends, [of] wreathen
INT: the breastpiece chains of twisted work cords

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1383
2 Occurrences

gaḇ·luṯ — 2 Occ.